One-of-a-kind Arizona adventures

Arizona is most definitely a bucket list state, stacked with unique landscapes found nowhere else, and one-of-a-kind experiences.

For adventures that will thrill and amaze, check out these uniquely Arizona experiences every daring visitor to the Grand Canyon State must try.

Unmatched Natural Landscapes

Explore Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona, a hidden gem landscape that even locals are surprised to discover exists. Hike among whimsical hoodoos (rock formations) before the park goes viral for its otherworldly appearance. The Grand Canyon State is one of the few to have Sky Islands, mountains with great biodiversity thanks to their elevation. Sky Island mountains have saguaro cactus and desert fauna at their base, yet as you journey to their summit, the landscape transforms into lush pine forests. Hike, bike or climb these special places by visiting the popular Mount Lemmon in Tucson or Hualapai Mountain Park in Kingman.

After soaking in views from the peaks, look 550 feet down into the earth at Meteor Crater in Winslow, the best-preserved impact site on earth created 50,000 years ago. Here observe the giant crater from four lookout points before stopping by the Discovery Center and Space Museum.
Western Adventures
Mosey down to the one and only Wild West town of Tombstone, the historic place where cowboy legends Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp had their famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Tombstone has maintained its historic Allen street where Western fans can watch a reenactment of the legendary gunfight, imbibe at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon and tour the set where the 1990s blockbuster movie “Tombstone” was filmed at the nearby Mescal Movie Set in Benson. Rock a cowboy hat and boots while watching the best barrel racers and bull riders compete at the World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott held every July, Enjoy rodeo fair food as riders show off at   The World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo in Payson which takes place in August.

Unique Tours
Watch a rare “pootsaya” basket being crafted on the Hopi Arts Trail, a collection of various art galleries on the Hopi Tribe’s mesas in Northern Arizona that gives visitors a glimpse into Hopi culture. Created by Hopi artist Iva Honyestewa, pootsaya baskets combine coil (poota) and sifter (tusaya) styles into a beautiful style of woven baskets. Get a glimpse into the galaxy by touring Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff where Pluto was discovered and peer into the telescope that found the dwarf planet decades ago. Here, discover the influential role astronomy continues to play in this mountain town that is the world’s first Dark Sky city which recently opened a new Astronomy Center for visitors to stargaze at the skies.

Unique Pitstops on Route 66
While Route 66 weaves through eight states, Arizona’s portion of the Mother Road includes both the longest remaining unbroken stretch (158 miles) and one-of-a-kind stops road-trippers won’t want to miss. Only in Arizona does the route go through a national park. While on an ultimate road trip in honor of Route 66’s centennial anniversary in 2026, make a pitstop at the Petrified Forest to wander into the world’s largest concentration of petrified wood.

Stop by Seligman to visit Delgadillo’s Original Route 66 Gift shop. This retro-Americana store is owned by Angel Delgadillo, aka the “Guardian Angel” of Route 66, who helped preserve the historic road by founding the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. Follow the stop at the gift shop by grabbing lunch at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap, a retro diner owned by Angel’s brother, Juan Delgadillo. Rolling into the small towns of Seligman and Peach Springs may look familiar to visitors since both towns helped inspire the fictional setting of the hit Pixar movie ‘Cars.’ so explore Next year is the film’s 20th anniversary.

Wildlife in Arizona
Enjoy spotting the 15 different species of humming birds that flutter around Sierra Vista, a southern Arizona city nicknamed the Hummingbird Capital of the US. A bird watching paradise, see countless hummingbirds while exploring the Ramsey Canyon Preserve then hike through San Pedro National Riparian Conservation to observe more than 300 species of birds. Spend an afternoon fishing in the Black River on the White Mountain Apache land to catch an Apache Trout, a native fish only found in Arizona. Anglers need to obtain special permits to fish on tribal land.

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